Silver City, NM: Frontier and Rural Workforce Development of New Mexico (FORWARD NM) is pleased announce Anna Daggett, MSW, has been hired as its new program specialist. Daggett will oversee FORWARD NM initiatives like the regional Dream Maker's Clubs and the Teen Academy for Health Sciences.
Though new to the staff, Daggett is a familiar face to FORWARD NM, having completed her Western New Mexico University (WNMU) internship with the program. She was the first social work student to intern with FORWARD NM, a program of the Southwest Center for Health Innovation.
Anna DaggettRecently, she was awarded a Master of Social Work from WNMU, where she previously received her bachelor's degree in English and Education. "I wanted to have the most versatile career paths open to me," Daggett said about her diverse educational background.
Born in Chama, Daggett grew up in health education, participating in the region's Natural Helpers program, a peer-to-peer helping program that began in 1994 in response to concerns from school leaders over teenage suicide and other problems. "Even in high school, I dreamed of reaching out to the community and helping youth," said Daggett.
Now, Daggett puts her experience towards benefitting the youth of southwest New Mexico. In September, she will facilitate the Dream Maker's Clubs available in Grant and Luna Counties. The Dream Maker's Clubs educate sixth to eight graders on the diverse careers available in health care through field trips, hands-on participation, and interaction with professionals.
"Health care professions aren't limit to doctors and nurses," said Daggett. "There are so many more opportunities available to youth like social work, veterinary, emergency services, pharmacy, counseling and equine therapy, just to name a few that the Clubs' learn about throughout the year."
FORWARD NM seeks to foster youths' interest in the field of health care. Studies have shown that rural students are more likely to enter the health care field, and more likely to return to their roots to practice their chosen profession, especially when they have received support during their formative years.
As part of her internship, Daggett helped mold the curriculum of this summer's Teen Academy for Health Sciences, so the program qualified for dual enrollment credit through WNMU. New Mexico requires all high school students to have three dual enrollment credits, or other advanced course work, to qualify graduation.
"We are delighted to have Anna as a staff member- she was a valuable intern and continues to make a major impact on our activities of improving the supply of healthcare professionals in our community," stated Bala Salgado, Director of Forward NM. For more information on the Dream Makers Clubs or other initiatives contact Daggett at (575) 597-0030 or email: adaggett@swchi.org.
About FORWARD NM
FORWARD NM seeks to enhance access to quality health care, particularly primary and preventative care, by improving the supply and distribution of healthcare professionals through community and academic partnerships. To accomplish its mission, FORWARD NM sponsors Dream Makers Clubs at regional middle schools so students can the experience the diversity of careers in the medical field. Dream Makers participate in hands-on labs, visit with health care professionals, tour local health care facilities. FORWARD NM, in collaboration with other local partners, sponsors summer academies to support the success of high school and college students pursuing careers in health care. Additionally, FORWARD NM coordinates undergraduate and graduate medical students' summer residencies and internships in the southwest New Mexico. For more information, visit swchi.org/forward-nm/.
About the Southwest Center for Health Innovation
The Southwest Center for Health Innovation (CHI) is a nonprofit focused on bettering community health in under-served and underrepresented populations. CHI empowers groups and individuals at a local, state and national level to determine the future well-being of their communities through the development and implementation of innovative policies, strategies and evidence-based models. Founded in 2015, CHI is headquartered in Silver City, with additional offices located throughout New Mexico. For more information, visit http://www.swchi.org.
Kendra Milligan
Resource Development & Communications Specialist
Southwest Center for Health Innovation
(575) 597-0035
kmilligan@swchi.org
http://swchi.org